Childhood Vaccinations

The BCG vaccine protects against tuberculosis, which is also known as TB.

In Newham, the BCG vaccine is given to all babies and it will usually be offered when the baby is about 28 days old.

TB is a serious infection that affects the lungs and sometimes other parts of the body, such as the brain, bones, joints and kidneys.

In Newham, the BCG vaccine is provided by Vaccination UKThey will send you a letter asking you to book an appointment for your baby. If you do not receive a letter within 28 days of your child’s birth, it is important that you contact Vaccination UK to book an appointment. You can call Vaccination UK on 0208 214 1395 or email newham.bcg@nhs.net

Vaccination UK runs BCG clinics in a number of places across the borough, including:

• Vicarage Lane Health Centre, E15 4ES
• Oliver Thomas Children’s Centre, E6 6BU
• Plaistow Children’s Centre, E6 6BU
• The Centre Manor Park, E12 6AQ

Dates and times of clinics change every month and Vaccination UK will provide you with more information when you contact them to book an appointment.

Make sure you take your child’s personal health record (Red Book) to the appointment and if you have any further questions, contact your midwife or Health Visitor.

If your child is not yet in school and they need their vaccinations, please contact your GP.

For school aged children – Vaccination UK provides the following vaccines at school:

• Flu Vaccinations: Reception – Year 11
• HPV: Year 8
• DTP & MenACWY: Year 9
• MMR: Reception – Year 13

If your child is due for a vaccine, you will be contacted by Vaccination UK and asked to complete a consent form. You can find the consent form on their website.

If your child has missed the school session and you would like to attend a community clinic, call Vaccination UK on 0208 214 1393 or email newham@v-uk.co.uk to make an appointment. Current clinic times are listed in the table 

You'll usually be contacted by your GP surgery when your child is due for a routine vaccination. This could be a letter, text, phone call or email.

If you know your child is due for a vaccination, it's best to speak to your GP surgery to book the appointment. You do not need to wait to hear from them.

It is important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection. If you or your child missed a vaccine, you can still contact your GP to catch up.

You can check your child’s vaccination status in their red book. You can also call your GP.

Everyone can register with a GP in Newham. It doesn’t matter what your immigration status is, or whether or not you have permanent home address.

If you need help registering, you can call the Council for free at 0800 916 8757 (Open Monday – Friday, 10am – 5.30pm). There is support available in multiple languages.

Your baby can still have their vaccinations if:

• they have a minor illness without a high temperature – such as a cold
• they have allergies, asthma, eczema or food intolerances
• they were born prematurely

It's really important that premature babies still have their vaccinations from 8 weeks old. They may be at higher risk of catching infections if you wait.

Your baby or child may cry for a little while after a vaccination, but they should feel better after a cuddle.

Sometimes the area where the needle goes in can be sore and red for 2 to 3 days. This should go away on its own.

Some children may also develop a high temperature (fever). If you want, you can give them liquid paracetamol or ibuprofen for children to bring their temperature down.

All vaccines are thoroughly tested to make sure they will not harm you or your child.

It often takes many years for a vaccine to make it through the trials and tests it needs to pass for approval.

Once a vaccine is being used in the UK it's also monitored for any rare side effects.

If you have questions about childhood vaccinations, it is best to contact your GP. You can also speak to your Health Visitor.